Gunter relishing City Ground return

Defender Chris Gunter is hoping to make it consecutive victories for Reading when the Royals visit his former side Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Reading’s right-back spent three years at the City Ground and is looking forward making the trip with the Royals – and is fully focused on coming away with the three points.

“Back-to-back wins are really something in this league,” commented Gunter. “They can really help propel you up the table, so that’s something we are looking to do come the weekend.

“Going back to Forest will be a good experience. It’s always a great place to go and play football, so hopefully me and Garath McCleary will be coming away happier than the guys we know from Forest.”

Previous fixtures between the two sides have been very eventful, especially at the City ground. In 2011, Gunter won a late penalty to help earn an equaliser for the East Midlands club, only for Reading to snatch a 4-3 win in the dying throes. Wearing blue and white hoops in 2013, he was sent off for two yellows against his old club but Reading still held on to win 3-2.

The full-back, however, will be happy with a drama-free game on Saturday as long as the Royals come away with the right result.

“I remember a couple of years ago going to Forest with Reading winning 3-2 and I picked up two yellow cards that day, which is something I don’t want to repeat,” reflected the 26-year-old.

“It always seems to be quite eventful when we play Forest so I’d probably take it being not as eventful on Saturday and us coming away with the three points.”

The Welsh international was quick to point out the importance of a quick start from the Royals on Saturday, knowing from experience that games have a habit of getting away from visiting teams at the City Ground if they are not alert from the first whistle.

“When you go to the City ground and they start the game well and get on top, the fans can make it really difficult for the visiting side,” he explained.

“In their last home game they beat Derby and they had the international break. Obviously they had a disappointing result last week so they’ll be wanting to get back on track to this weekend just as we are saying we want to build our run.

“Both teams are always striving to do well, but we need to make sure that we go out and do a better job than them and we know we’re capable of going there and winning.”